Dive Brief:
- Volkswagen Group is launching a new artificial intelligence lab to identify and incubate new product ideas for the automaker, the company announced last week.
- The lab will create AI-powered digital products, including vehicle infotainment and navigation applications, and develop a digital ecosystem for Volkswagen, the press release says.
- The AI Lab will also support collaboration with tech companies in China, Europe, and North America to develop and launch new vehicle technology quickly, according to Volkswagen. Exploratory talks on the first products have already begun tech with companies.
Dive Insight:
Volkswagen is one of several automakers that are turning to tech partners and technology startups to develop advanced technology for software-defined vehicles while simultaneously developing its own capabilities. Others include Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis.
The AI Lab will employ a team of AI experts who will work closely with all the company’s brands. The lab’s board will include members from the Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche brands, including AI experts responsible for the lab’s technical management.
In addition to high-performance speech recognition, the lab will develop electric vehicle charging technology, vehicle-to-home connectivity, AI-based predictive maintenance schedules and more.
“We want to offer our customers genuine added value with artificial intelligence," said Oliver Blume, CEO of the Volkswagen Group and Porsche AG, in a press release. “We aim to link external digital ecosystems with the vehicle, creating an even better product experience.”
Volkswagen demonstrated its new AI-powered, in-vehicle voice assistant on the new ID.7 electric sedan at last month’s CES technology conference. The technology was co-developed with software company Cerence.
Dubbed “Cerence Chat Pro,” the AI assistant uses ChatGPT technology and will become standard on many Volkswagen models beginning in the second quarter of 2024.
